FCC Rules That Verizon Cannot Charge For 4G Tethering 218
schleprock63 writes "The FCC ruled today that Verizon cannot charge extra for users for 4G Wi-Fi tethering. The FCC used the original agreement in the auction of the C block spectrum which said 'licensees offering service on C Block spectrum "shall not deny, limit, or restrict the ability of their customers to use the devices and applications of their choice on the licensee's C Block network, subject to narrow exceptions."' So Verizon cannot charge for tethering on 4G service, this raises the question of whether they can continue to charge for tethering on 3G or 1x?"
And yet VZ was up 0.19 today (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Good for the Judges (Score:5, Informative)
I don't see why this won't apply to 3G or any other type of tethering either, since it's all the same.
Because the issue is in which part of the wireless spectrum they are using. As far as I can tell, this ruling only applies to the new C Block spectrum, not the parts of the spectrum they used to have.
Re:Good for the Judges (Score:5, Informative)
I don't see why this won't apply to 3G or any other type of tethering either, since it's all the same.
Because the issue is in which part of the wireless spectrum they are using. As far as I can tell, this ruling only applies to the new C Block spectrum, not the parts of the spectrum they used to have.
Exactly. This was the feature that Google basically spent $4B on a few years ago. The spectrum for LTE went to carriers specifically with the requirement that they follow "net neutrality" style rules on usage; no blocking or "channeling" certain features according to service.
Re:Too late... (Score:4, Informative)
Wait... You're leaving Verizon because they've treated you like complete crap and are going to either Sprint or ATT?
I mean, let's completely ignore for the moment how Apple treats their customers. Sprint or ATT? You SERIOUSLY think either of these guys will treat you better than Verizon?
Re:Verizon only (Score:5, Informative)
T-Mobile lets me tether for no additional cost. In fact, tethering came preinstalled on my phone.
Re:Good for the Judges (Score:5, Informative)
Correct. However the conclusion you've implied is not correct.
THIS is an administrative ruling, having the full force of law. It remains "law" until overruled by a court. The result is, that it is a law, until proven in a court to be otherwise.
Further, your implication is fairly short sighted, in that you assume something isn't a law (or acts like a law) unless a court rules on it. The fact is, most laws (and administrative rulings) are lawful until someone challenges it in a court.
THIS was an administrative hearing which FUNCTIONS much like a court for most intents and purposes. Therefore the ONLY recourse left to VZ is an actual court. And having already been ruled on by an Administrative hearing, the hurdle is much much higher for VZ than normal court case
Re:Good for the Judges (Score:5, Informative)
Important note: BID $4B on, but did not win, so spent nothing.
Re:By the hair of my chinny-chin-chin. (Score:5, Informative)
So Verizon cannot charge for tethering on 4G service, this raises the question of whether they can continue to charge for tethering on 3G or 1x?
Your answer lies in those "narrow exceptions".
Its a regulation on the bandwidth block used for 4g. not the range for 3g. different frequencies, different rules.
Re:Good for the Judges (Score:5, Informative)
But the did not just "charge for each device", they added an extra charge for devices that were not connected to their network
But that's the point of the ruling: Verizon wasn't allowed to put those limitation in their contracts. According to you, only Verizon's customers have to abide by contract terms, while Verizon itself doesn't have to abide by contract terms it agreed with the FCC
The restriction which Verizon agreed to was they would not limit or restrict " the ability of their customers to use the devices and applications of their choice". Clearly, retricting tethering is limiting the ability of their customers to use the applications of their choice.